Kitplanes Magazine Comes and Visits...

We were pleased to have Ed Wischmeyer with Kitplanes magazine pay us a visit today!

I had a great time showing Ed our airplane and our shop.  We'll see what he has to say in a few months.

Pictured below is Ed, after he completed a test flight in the Belite Superlite.

Ed Wischmeyer of Kitplanes magazine concludes a test flight and makes some notes.

James Takes Entrepreneur Test

The results are scary.  See for yourself.

James Takes Entrepreneur Test

Thunderbirds, Kathy and James, and Pres Huston

A mix of thoughts:

The USAF Thunderbirds are performing in Wichita this weekend. 

One of the benefits of owning an aircraft company in Wichita, KS is receiving an invitation to a reception in honor of the Thunderbirds, at McConnell AFB.  (I say this with a hint of humor -- with four full time employees, [including myself, Kathy] we are not (yet) deserving of such an invitation, but we are very appreciative.)

The reception had some great food.  Before the jazz band started playing, we were privileged to hear from 3 WWII veterans.  The first of these three men was Loren Corliss, and he told a gripping story of parachuting out of a destroyed B26, then surviving and moving through the jungle, towards eventual rescue many days later.  This man's story was originally told and printed in our hometown Wichita Eagle, in an article which you can read here.

Loren's rescuer was a PBY Catalina pilot, who landed in hard surf, and yanked Loren Corliss and several others out of war's grip to safety.  Loren Corliss never knew or got to thank his rescuer, until the story ran in the Eagle, and his rescuer read the story -- and discovered who he had rescued.

The rescuer was Harold Strub.  Harold was our second speaker last night.  His story of landing in extraordinarily difficult conditions was amazing.  You can read his story here.

The first person account of both these veterans held the entire crowd in awe.

A third WWII veteran also spoke;  I'm sorry that I don't have his name.  He had bailed out of another plane over Italy during the war; badly burned, and losing both hands, he still survived.  Another gripping story.

I thought of my father-in-law, Pres Huston.  Now deceased several years ago, I was reminded of his participation in WWII; how he fought, how his voice would now sound older and more grizzled were he still alive.  How he would also have stories to tell.  How he was a peer of our aging WWII veterans, with just a few still living.

After the aging veterans had said their pieces, the USAF Thunderbird lead pilot made comments of these aged veterans:  echoing comments made by other writers, "these were our greatest generation".

I thought again of Pres Huston. 

My wife, Kathy, was standing in front of me.  I gently stroked her shoulder, as we listened to the speakers, as I thought of Dad.

The evening ended; the huge Thunderbird group left; the band continued to play.

USAF Thunder Bird Lead Solo Rick Goodman, with Kathy and James

Flying the Belite Ultalight Aircraft - Part 3

This is the third of three parts.

Approach and Landing

Flying an airplane is one of life's second most exciting experiences.  And, of course, the first most exciting experience is landing an airplane.

Fortunately, the Belite keeps the excitement level to a minimum.  It lands in a manner very typical of any tail wheel airplane.  A full stall landing, that is, touching down on the main wheels and the tail wheel simultaneously, is the best method to use and results in a low landing speed.  Given even a modest headwind, your actual touch down speed may be matched by someone jogging down the runway.  Due to the very light weight of the Belite, the airplane will decelerate rapidly after landing, especially if you make use of the brakes.  The rudder will remain active until you are almost stopped.  The heel brakes help with directional control; keep the airplane tracking straight.

Pre plan your traffic pattern.  Ultralight aircraft will often fly a lower, close-in pattern.  It may be on the opposite side of the airport pattern.  Seek council of other experienced local pilots.  Check with the airport manager.  Be vigilant.  Be prepared to give way to other aircraft, even if you have the right of way.  Be especially watchful for wake turbulence.  Fortunately, the Belite has excellent control authority.

Typically your approach begins when you are on the downwind leg, opposite your touch down point.  Reduce power to the point that your descent matches any other light aircraft.  Don't reduce power to idle, the descent will be very steep.  (This can be done later, after you have appropriate experience and know your altitudes and airspeeds and descent paths.)  As your turn base, use 1 notch of flaps and slow to about 50mph.  Select a second notch after turning final, and adjust power to hit your touchdown point.  Keep your airspeed at or above 45mph.  Add power if you are low.  Add a third notch of flaps when on short final, after the numbers are assured.  Don't pull back on the stick to stretch a glide -- the aircraft will stall.  Use power instead.

When you are over your landing point, at an altitude of 3 to 5 feet, level the plane off and reduce the remaining power.  The Belite will settle towards the ground and decelerate.  Just prior to touch down, pull the stick back to full flaw and touch down on all 3 wheels.  (The Trike works the same way - pull back and let the plane settle on the two mains, try and make the tail 'kiss' the ground.  Keep the stick back, whether in the Trike or the taildragger.) 

If you want to be more conservative, and have the runway available, keep a little power throughout the flare.  Reduce the power after touchdown. 

The approach and landing can be made from a power off glide, but the descent angle will be very, very steep.  By maintaining 45+mph (which you can do just by pushing the stick forward and the nose down) you will have plenty of energy for the flare.  You can use a shot of power to clear obstacles.  As a note of interest, the high angle of descent cause by idle power is caused by the windmilling propeller drag, not by the airframe.  If you stop the prop, the Belite is a fine little glider, with an estimated glide ratio of 9+ to 1.  Of course, a stopped prop is disquieting.  Or perhaps, very quieting.

The use of approach speeds that are slower than 45 MPH is possible, but not recommended.

Emergency Procedures


As with all aircraft, you should be prepared for emergency situations.  Preparation is key -- starting with your preflight.  Are both mags working?  Has the safety pin been removed from the parachute?  Are the wing bolts latched properly?  Are the flapersons properly connected?  Has the fabric been torn?  Is a wasp living in the wing spar?  Is the pitot plugged?  Are the tires properly inflated?  Are the bolts tight?  Are the winds acceptable?  Are you prepared for the flight?  Is the runup of the engine normal?  What is the forecast?  Will the winds turn?  Does the flight have continuous emergency landing options?  Does anyone know where you are going, and when you will return? These are just a few of the things on your checklist.  

It is hard to separate good planning and caution from safety.

The Belite is available with or without electric start.  If your engine quits, and you are unable to restart in flight, you will soon experience and unscheduled landing.  First of all, you must fly the airplane.  Lower the nose, maintain 45 to 50mph, and fly the airplane.  Did I say, fly the airplane?  The surprise of an engine stoppage causes some to forget to fly the airplane, which usually begins with a pitch forward (on the control stick) in order to maintain flying speed of 45+mph.  

With the prop stopped, your glide ratio will be improve.  From an altitude of 500 feet, you have a landing radius of up to a mile in any direction.  Don't overshoot the landing.  Use flaps as required.  Use S turns as required.  


The Belite carries a 5 gallon fuel supply, so be mindful of your available fuel.  Given the approximate 1:20 to 2:00 fuel supply, you have plenty of fuel for fun, but must be extremely careful when planning cross country flights, especially with headwinds.  A precautionary landing with the engine running (and I've done it) is a far safer option than letting a dead engine make the decision for you.  Carry water, a cell phone, and perhaps, a personal locator, such as Spot.  (And carry oil, for refueling at remote airports.)


Develop your flying skills.  The Belite is truly a very high performance airplane -- it is capable of more responsiveness than almost all other FAR Part 103 ultralights.  It is also capable of far more utility.  Use your developed skills to improve safety.  Fly within your personal limits provides the most fun with the least risk.


Enjoy your Belite!